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Easyjet goes to court over airport charges

ONE of Britain's largest airlines, Easyjet, will mount a legal challenge over the stiff price increases imposed at Heathrow and Gatwick.

A judicial review of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) decision could threaten the planned refinancing of BAA, the company that owns and operates the London hubs.

Easyjet has retained London law firm Lane & Partners as its adviser and informed the CAA and BAA nine days ago of its intention to seek a judicial review.

It is expected to formalise a claim to the High Court within a month. If the court accepts it has a case, arguments could take another six months, with a decision possible by the end of the year, legal sources said.

Ryanair said yesterday that it would join the action, and BMI British Midland is also expected to participate. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic is as yet undecided. British Airways is unlikely to take